Murray hits hat-trick for the rampant City

A second-half hat-trick by Armagh City striker Stephen Murray put paid to a brave Wakehurst at Holm Park on Saturday.

This brings the big striker’s goal tally for the season to 40 and confirms his status as the most potent hitman in Belfast Telegraph Championship Two.

City found the net on six occasions against the youthful Wakehurst who, nevertheless, fought like demons throughout the encounter.

Armagh began strongly and had three great opportunities to take the the lead with headers from Dara Noonan and Gareth Grimley, while Murray was also denied by a brave save from visiting ‘keeper Ryan Curry.

The home team, however, eventually made the breakthrough on 34 minutes when Murray won the ball on the right and crossed into the box where Grimley arrived to stab a low shot into the back of the net.

City doubled the scoreline five minutes later when a through pass was picked up by the flying Shea McGerrigan who placed the ball underneath the advancing Curry.

Wakehurst were unlucky not to score during the half but a superb point blank save by Sean Morgan denied Andrew Loughran.

Half-time: Armagh City 2 Wakehurst 0.

After the break the visitors had a real go at Armagh and, during a 15-minute period, had them on the back-foot.

But, on 60 minutes, City broke through Grimley who squared a pass into the path of Murray who made no mistake from 15-yards out.

And, within two minutes, it was 4-0 when Murray touched home at the near post after an inch-perfect cross from Shea McGerrigan.

On 66 minutes Murray completed his superb hat-trick when he raced past his marker and dispatched another accurate shot to the net.

With almost the fiinal shot of the game Armagh sub Kevin Keegan made it 6-0 when he rifled home an angled shot after an initial effort from Grimley was well save by the acrobatic Curry.

In the end a comfortable win for City who keep on track for divisional honours this season.